STATISTICS:

DOWNHILL SKIING & BOARDING

Mt Buffalo has always offered some of the most affordable downhill skiing boarding in Australia, and is ideally suited to beginners and family groups. Mt Buffalo offers, skiing, boarding, skiboarding, snowshoeing and tobogganing.

Mt Buffalo's Cresta Valley is a scenic, sheltered bowl with 3 poma lifts and 2 chairlifts catering for beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. Skiers can identify the degree of difficulty of the slope by coloured markers at the runs. The easiest runs, marked by green circles are served by the Valley Chairlift and the Novice Poma. More difficult runs, served by the Gully Poma and the Cresta and Valley Chairlifts, are marked with blue squares and suit intermediate skiers. The most difficult runs are marked by black diamonds and are reached by riding the Cresta Poma.

Mt Buffalo's other ski area, Dingo Dell, is located just before Cresta Valley and is open in peak periods. It's rolling uncrowded terrain and 2 poma lifts will help you develop your skiing & boarding skills.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

The gently undulating and picturesque landscape of Mt Buffalo makes it ideal for cross country skiing. There are 9km of marked ski trails, 5km of which are groomed.

SHORT TOURS AND PRACTICE AREAS

People new to skiing might like to try their ski legs at these locations before they move on to other adventures.

• Bogong Plain, opposite Cresta Valley: A 1km ski trail, suitable for beginners, is marked by orange poles with green codes. It starts at the information board opposite the carpark at Cresta Valley.
• Along the start of the Reservoir road.
• Along the track to the Lake Catani camping ground.
• At Blackfellows Plain: Park at the Cathedral and walk 150m back towards Dingo Dell.

INTERMEDIATE TOURS

These trails, all in the vicinity of the Cresta car park, can take you to some of the finest parts of the plateau.

• The Horn Road and Lyrebird Plain provide good ski touring. Start from the carpark at the road barrier, lkm past the Cresta Day Visitor Centre. Ski up the road to the lookout hut. On your way back, you can practise turns on steeper sections of the road or make a diversion into the open touring of Lyrebird Plain, which extends out to the west of the road.
• Skeleton Gully sometimes has enough snow when there is poor snow cover elsewhere. It is an attractive area of open plain and woodland, reached along a narrow natural pathway through Snow Gums and approached from the 4km marked trail about 200m past the start.
• Marked Trails: The 4km marked ski trail and the 6km marked trail commence at the information board opposite the Cresta car park (snow permitting).
  It is also possible to ski the trails from the gate on the Horn road.

LONGER TOURS

(Subject to good snow conditions - check with the Park Office, phone (03)5755-1466.)

• The Reservoir Road, which starts at the Vic Roads Hut, provides gentle skiing for 3km up to the reservoir and opens the way to some magnificent longer tours, including the following:
• Wild Dog Plains: From the reservoir, continue up past the refuge hut and follow the Fire Access Trail out to Wild Dog Plains (extensive interlocking plains that extend towards the western side of the plateau). Return along the same track.
• Mt McLeod: In good snow conditions it is possible to ski out to the North Buffalo Plateau along the McLeod Fire Access Trail. Turn right off Reservoir Road and set out along the track, which descends to the head of Buffalo Creek then climbs back to the plateau and on to the McLeod snow plains. Experience and fitness are required for this 25km tour.

Safety for Cross Country Skiers:

• Weather conditions can deteriorate rapidly in the alpine environment and poor visibility can make navigation difficult. This can be a dangerous situation.
• Be properly equipped. Dress warmly. Wearing several layers of clothes allows you to adjust to conditions.
• Do not ski alone. Inform someone of your destination and estimated time of return. There is an intention book at the Cresta Resort Office and the Nordic Information Board for this purpose.
• Take a map, compass and whistle.
• Exposure (Hypothermia) can be fatal. To reduce the danger, wear warm waterproof clothing, carry snack foods, rest often, drink plenty of fluid (not alcohol) and do not ski when you are tired.
• If you become lost or injured, don't panic. Stay where you are and find shelter. Stay dry, and light a fire if you can. Place crossed skis in a prominent position upright in the snow and blow your whistle regularly to attract attention. The distress signal is three long blasts.